Phytochemical-fueled green combustion synthesis of CeFeO₃ perovskite for multifunctional photocatalytic, optoelectronic, antioxidant, and electrochemical sensing applications
摘要
Using Argyria cuneata (AC) and Macroptilium atropurpureum (MA) biofuels, this study synthesises multifunctional cerium ferrite nanostructures using phytochemical combustion. XRD confirmed the synthesis of nanocrystalline, orthorhombic CeFeO₃ with high phase purity and structural integrity. Optical analysis showed dense defect-tail states and significant electron–phonon coupling with direct and indirect band gaps of 3.06–3.11 eV and 2.39–2.43 eV, respectively, and Urbach energies of 0.525–0.595 eV. The visible emission range of 461–697 nm in photoluminescence spectra is dominated by green and orange-red channels from oxygen vacancies, intervalence Fe2⁺/Fe3⁺ transitions, and Ce3⁺ 5d → 4f relaxations. MA-derived CeFeO₃ showed red-shifted emission, longer carrier lifetime, and improved chromatic stability of CRI = 91, CCT = 4684 K, while AC-derived CeFeO₃ showed stronger near-band-edge emission and higher photocatalytic degradation efficiency of 89.04% at 0.01826 h −1. Electrochemical studies showed a dynamic Ce3⁺/Ce4⁺-Fe2⁺/Fe3⁺ redox exchange with a diffusion coefficient of 2.75 × 10–4 cm2 s⁻1, enabling sensitive detection of leucine and isoleucine. MA-CeFeO₃'s increased antioxidant activity of IC₅₀ = 772 mg mL⁻1 confirmed its strong surface redox kinetics. The development of optoelectronic coupling, defect-mediated recombination, and lattice energetics demonstrates biofuel-engineered CeFeO₃ as a sustainable, high-performance material for photocatalytic and optoelectronic applications.
Graphical abstract